“Foster homes needed for elderly residents” from the November 23, 1970 Door County Advocate
JANE HUSETH, Door county social worker, is seeking sponsors to provide foster homes for adults. Applications may be made to the Department of Social Services at the Sturgeon Bay courthouse. Advocate
Foster homes needed for elderly residents
If you get along well with elderly people, own (or live in) a one story home, have time on your hands, and enjoy helping others, you’re a perfect candidate for providing a foster a home for adults.
Five such homes are needed in Door county right now and more will undoubtedly be needed in the future. According to Jane Huseth, a social worker affiliated with the Door County Social Service department, providing good homes for those unable to care for themselves is a new and growing extension of services being provided by that department.
Miss Huseth points out that these are people who do not require nursing home care but who do need someone to talk to, someone to cook meals and see to it that clothing is kept clean, someone to remember necessary medicines, and someone to help them feel useful again.
Perhaps the latter is the most important requisite of all. By giving an adult the opportunity to live in your home and share your homelife, you are contributing in a very special way to his sense of well being.
Miss Huseth, a personable young woman with six years of social case work experience, says, “Persons needing family home care are carefully selected by the Social Services Department for this type of family living. They are only chosen if they are able to take care of themselves, make themselves understood, and show some capacity for adjustment.”
Not everyone meets this criteria. Nor does every prospective “foster parent” necessarily qualify. Miss Huseth elaborates a bit on agency requirements.
“As a person or family sharing your home with an adult, you are that person’s sponsor. You are saying in effect that you will do anything you can do to help your guest feel accepted, wanted, needed, and important to both himself and to you.”
She adds, “Over and beyond the satisfaction you receive from “doing for others” you will be financially reimbursed. The social worker who will visit your home will work out all financial arrangements with you before persons are placed.”
“Incidentally, sponsors are not responsible for any medical expenses of their guests.”
The agency will do its best to match sponsors with the type of person best suited for their particular way of life. Likes and dislikes will be considered (a smoker would ordinarily not be placed in a non-smoker’s home or vice versa) and personalities are taken into account. A shy, retiring individual may not feel comfortable in a home with boisterous children, for example, nor would a night owl appreciate the Ben Franklin type.
Miss Huseth, explains however, there is no hard or fast rule to follow regarding placement. Sponsors are urged to bring out latent talents in their guests and to make the most of their potential. They should also be interested in bringing their guests to church, providing an occasional outing, and taking them on rides — both for business and pleasure.
Perhaps John Brown once enjoyed gardening but hasn’t had an opportunity to turn a hoe in years or Mrs. Sylvester Doe at one time baked the best apple strudel in town but just got out of the habit. Families housing John Brown or Mrs. Doe would do well to show an interest in these dormant talents and allow them to be pursued.
A home call would be made by a Social Service Department representative at frequent intervals at first just to see how things are working out. This is for the mutual benefit of both parties. After an equable rapport has been established, such visits would be reduced in number.
Those interested in becoming a sponsor for one or more adults are asked to phone 743-5511 (ext. 48) or write to the Door County Department of Social Services, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. 54235.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive